A little-known fact about me is that I am a HUGE DC Comics fan. But unlike most people I didn’t grow up with them. I’m actually relatively new to comic-books.

You see a few years ago a good buddy of mine took it upon himself to make me a comic-book geek. He focused almost exclusively on DC Comics because those were what he grew up with and therefore knew the most about. We read countless comics, watched numerous films/cartoons (Justice League Unlimited is still one of my favorite shows ever) and spent countless hours discussing characters and stories.

When Warner Bros. Interactive announced last year that Netherrealm Studios, the guys behind Mortal Kombat and specifically the excellent Mortal Kombat reboot released in 2011, are working on a new competitive fighting game based entirely on the DC Comics Universe, Injustice: Gods Among Us, I nerded out sooooo incredibly hard. I've since been thinking about characters I would like to see in the game and I'd like to share some with you guys.

The following are terrific characters with awesome powers that I feel would be perfect for this game. Let’s get to it!

Animal Man

Something of a cult favorite among DC fans, Animal Man or Buddy Baker, has really broken out in the past couple of years thanks to his excellent new series written by Jeff Lemire as apart of DC’s line-wide reboot The New 52. Buddy is an animal enthusiast, vegetarian and superhero celebrity whose powers come from a mysterious force known as The Red. The Red is basically the energy that connects all animal life on the planet and this connection allows him to take on the various aspects of animals such as the strength of a gorilla, the reflexes of a fly, skin density of a rhino and such.

I think Animal Man would be a perfect addition to the game not only for the sake of adding a great character with versatile abilities, but for introducing a wider audience to one of DC’s most like able characters. Special moves could involve almost anything like charging with the speed of a cheetah or moves based around the flight of a bird.

DC would do well to capitalize on Animal Man’s newfound popularity. I’m cautiously optimistic that we’re going to actually see Buddy in this game thanks to a tease from Ed Boon back in November that included an Animal Man comic noticeably within a picture he tweeted.

Swamp Thing

Another of DC’s cult favorite supernatural characters, Alec Holland also has newfound stardom in The New 52. Basically, the Swamp Thing is a nature elemental with the ability to create and manipulate plants. He’s used his powers to do things like summon vines to attack his foes, conjure up plant armor/swords and create incredible, natural remedies.

Swamp Thing would make a great addition to the roster as sort of ‘power’ character. He’s large and imposing and often portrayed as an extremely physically strong. His powers give Netherrealm plenty room to get creative with his move-set. His inclusion would add some variety to the roster from a gameplay and character perspective.

He was teased in the same image that contained the Animal Man comic giving me hope that we’ll get to play as him come April.

Red Tornado

He’s a robot that can fly, create massive gusts of wind and so much more. He’s also been a constant member of the Justice League throughout the past few decades but has never broken out much as his own character.

I think this guy would work wonderfully as a speed/agile character. Think something like Yosuke in Persona 4: Arena if you’ve played it. His moves would involve quick movement around the screen which can be used to set-up further combos and such. Include some projectiles and a few power moves and you have the type of speed character every fighter should have.

Unfortunately, I’m doubtful he’s even being considered given how little he’s been featured in pretty much anything these past few years. But what better way to start bringing him back to the forefront than giving him a role in a blockbuster video game?

Captain Cold

Now for some villains! I'll start with one of my all-time favorites: Captain Cold. Leonard Snart is best known as one of The Flash’s greatest foes and the leader of a band of villains known as The Rogues. He’s been a mainstay in the DC Universe for decades and has been featured in a lot different media ranging from action figures to movies.

In a number of previews we’ve seen of the game, Ed Boon described some of the characters in the game as being “gadget characters”. These characters rely on a variety of projectiles and special tactics for success. Captain Cold would be absolutely perfect as one of them. Use his ice guns/powers (depending on what version you want to use) to fire projectiles or do things like create barriers or make the ground slick in homage to Netherrealm’s legendary Sub-Zero of Mortal Kombat fame. There's so much the could do with this character. Something I'd love to see would be the ability to make the air around him extremely cold thereby slowing down his opponents that get too close (something he's been known to do against The Flash quite often).

I’m 50/50 on Cold making the cut. He’s a prominant character and decently recognizable but I feel like he could come off as a little too boring to some people. To elaborate, a game like this needs to have extraordinary characters with incredible abilities that players can take seriously. Not some old dude who shoots ice.

Black Hand

This is my dream inclusion. William Hand has been a longtime enemy of Green Lantern but has only recently broken out as of one the DC Universe’s biggest and most dangerous villains.

His powers are basically based around his ability to absorb the life force from people. While a little limited, his moves could really be something with a little creativity. My suggestion is to give him a bunch of throw based attacks kind of like some of the characters in Street Fighting. He could also have some health absorbing abilities as long as Netherrealm manages to keep them balanced.

I wouldn’t expect Black Hand to be included but my inner fanboy is still clinging on to that small glimmer of hope.

Black Manta

Anyone who has actually read Aquaman comics knows that he is a badass. They also know that Black Manta, arguably more of a rival to Aquaman than a nemesis, is also a badass. Just look at him. His design is so simple yet so menacing and iconic! No wonder this guy was a member of The Legion of Doom on The Super Friends.

Manta fights using a high-tech suit that gives him the ability to survive underwater and in addition to enhanced strength/endurance. He’s also been known to use wrist-mounted guns, explosives, blades, harpoons and a variety of other gadgets. Long story short, Manta would be extremely easy to make into a fighting game character.

I honestly think he’s going to make the cut. Why? I couldn’t tell you. It’s just my gut instinct that we’re going to see Black Manta on the final roster or at the very least as DLC in they choose to have it.

So everybody now it’s you’re turn! Tell me what what characters you want to see in Injustice! I hope you enjoyed the post and thank you for reading